Automatic measuring and filling machine



Jan. 13, 1931. B. o. oPlTz AUTOMATIC MEASURING AND FILLING MACHINE Filed Aug. 25, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet l CM M 0 l 7703/ v W0. n n m N Nl N N R. h.\ N \N NQ. FM4 w Q s A A l n @im WI, 11n. w r` c O /f/ H A QM o ,j w a. N F l Q MM NN wm R um h mm ww NN uw, ///|u|\ 7 Jan, 13, 1931. B. Q OPITZ 1,789,018

AUTOMATIC MEASURTNG AND FILLING MACHINE Filed Aug 28, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 13, 1931. B. o. oPlTz 1,789,018

AUTOMATIC MEASURING AND FILLING MACHINE Filed Aug. 28, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Jan. 13, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BERNARD O. OPITZ, F PORTLAND, OREGON, ASSIGNOR TO INDIVIDUAL DRINKING CUP COMPANY, INC., OF EASTON, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA AUTOMATIC MEASURING AND FILLING MACHINE Application led August 28, 1926. Serial No. 132,216.

My present invention relates to new and useful improvements in automatic measuring and filling machines and so far as the subject matter is common is a continuation of my copending application filed April l5, 1926,

Serial No. 102,173.

The principal object of the present invention resides in the provision of a machine for filling receptacles with one or more materials, the material or materials being initially received in a. container from which it is deposited automatically into the receptacle or receptacles that are fed past the point of de posit. The deposit occurs intermittently as the containers are fed past the deposit point. So far as I am aware it has previously been t-he custom in machines of the character described to deposit the material at each cycle of operation whether the receptacle is'in form and position to receive the material or not. lVhere this has not been done automatic means have been provided to stop the entire machine until the missing receptacle has been supplied. In my present invention and machine I have provided automatic means for the continuous operation of the machine, such means including means to prevent deposit of material or materials in any cycle when a receptacle is out of position to receive the material or when the receptacle is not in proper form or is so mutilated as to make it unsuitable for use.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of automat-ic means to prevent the material from being dispensed when a receptacle is not in position to receive the same.

A still further object of the invention consists in the provision of automatic means whereby the machine will operate continuously but wherein and in the event that a receptacle to receive the material to be deposited therein is out. of position or alignment the same will 'automatically prevent the dispensing of material from the container.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of automatic means permitting the continuous operation of the machine with automatic means to prevent the depositing of the filling material in the absence-of a receptacle to receive thel same being in position at the time and place of deposit of the material at each cycle of operation.

lVith the above and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, my invention consists in the novel details of construction and arrangement of parts, described in the following specifica-tion and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and while I have illustrated and described the prefered embodiments of the invention, as they now appear to me, it will be understood that such changes may be made as will fall within the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings Fig. l is a side elevation of the assembled machine, illustrating the parts in position for the beginning of a cycle of operation.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of the automatic means for preventing the deposit of material from the material container when a receptacle to receive the same is not in position.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 2, illustrating in detail the mechanism for the prevention of deposit of material when a receptacle is not in position to receive the same.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation of the mechanism shown in Figs. 2 and 3 illustrating the mechanism in position at the complete forward stroke of the cycle of operation; and

Fig. 5 is a top plan of the mechanism shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4.

The frame of the machine is shown at l and has the supporting legs 2. Any suitable v prime mover, such as an electric motor 3, may be used for driving the machine and this motor is preferably mounted upon the frame as shown. A belt or chain 4 connects the prime mover to the main drive wheel 5, which is connected to a crank shaft 5', and on the opposite sideA of the machine is a crank disc 6 which is secured to the main crank shaft and has a feeding arm 7 connected thereto. An endless feed chain 8 runs lengthwise of the machine and operates around the sprockets 9 and 10. Intermittent feeding motion is imparted to the feeding chain through the action of the arm 7 and the feeding awl 11 engaging with the ratchet wheel 12. ugs 13 are mounted upon the feeding chain and the chain is so constructed that the receptacles to be filled are supported and maintained therebetween in spaced relation. A suitable feeding hopper 14, for the material. is removably mounted upon the machine and directly in line and above the feeding cylinders 15, as here shown as two inl number. Opposed pistons 16 are adapted for reciprocation within the cylinders 15 and piston rods 17 connect the pistons at the right hand ends of the cylinders with the cross head 18 and piston rods 17' connect the pistons at the left hand end of the cylinders with the cross head 18. Reciprocating movement is imparted to the cross head 18 through the action of the crank arm 19, the inner end of which is connected to the cross head 18 while the outer end is connected to the crank shaft 5. Transversely spaced rods 19 extend horizontally from the outer face of the cross head 18', as shown more particularly in Fig. 5 of the drawings, and pass through openings formed in the cross head 20', the cross head 20 being in turn secured to the cross head 18, and operable therewith, by means of the rods 21' as also more particularly illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawings. Surrounding the rods 19 are the coiled springs 22', one end of the coiled springs engaging the outer face of the cross head 20' whereas the opposite ends engage the nuts 23' threaded on the ends of the rods. Normally the coiled springs tend to draw the cross head 18 towards the cross head 20' but when the movement of the cross head 18 is stopped by the lug or projection 24', in the manner to be later described, the cross head 20' will continue its movement and compress the coiled springs for a purpose to be described. An adjustable screw 20 is carried by the cross head 20 and is adapted for engagement by the cross head 18. By adjusting the screw 20" the movement of the cross head 18 is adjusted and by regulating the movement of the cross head 18 relative to the cross head20 the space between the ends of the pistons for the material may be regulated. At each reciprocation of the pistons a measured amount of material is deposited from the hopper 14 and delivered into the receptacles 20, which are carried in spaced relation upon the chain 8. The receptacles are of uniform size and top alignment and are automatically fed from the source of supply 21. In devices of this kind it is most diiicult to feed the containers in absolute accuracy and it is the purpose of my machine to prevent the feeding of the material when a receptacle is not in place to receive the same.

In Fig. 1 the mechanism is shown in the beginning of a cycle of operation with the receptacle 22 positioned out of alignment with the point of deposit of the material from the container but adapted to be positioned beneath the point of deposit lwhen moved forward one space. In this application the cycle of operation will be the same as in my copending application above referred to. In the next cycle of operation, no receptacle is in place and a space 23 exists in the line. In this event the trip and indicator bar 24 does not engage with the top of the receptacle and drops down as illustrated in Fig- 3. An actuating rod 25 connects the arm 7 and the indicator bar 24 through the medium of a friction box 26. The indicator bar 24 is in the form of a bell crank and is journaled about the supporting pin 27. The upper end of the bar 24 is formed to engage with the upper surface of the receptacles as shown at 28 in Fig. 1. In the event that there is a receptacle in place and of sufficient top alignment the cross end 28 engages with the same-and the friction block 26 slides upon the rod 25. In the event that there is no receptacle in place the bar 24 is carried down and the lower end of the bell crank which carries the pin 29 engages with the surface 30 of the bell crank 31, that rotates about the pin 32, and unlatches the same by depressing it due to the contact of the pin 29 with the inclined surface 30 of the bell crank 31. When the bell crank 31 is depressed it moves the upper end 33 out of engagement with the bar 34 since the surface 35 of the member 33 contacts with the underside 36 of the bar 34. As the bell crank 31 has a movement imparted thereto the same contacts with the trip lever 37 and permits the same to be disengaged therefrom when the pin 38 on the end of the cross head 18 contact therewith by engaging with the surface 39 of the trip lever 37. This permits the pin 40 carried by the bar 44 which normally connects the cross heads 18 and 18 to engage with the surface 41 of the bar 34 and depresses lthe same against the tension of the spring 42. This action prevents the disengagement of the end of the bar 44 from the pin 38 and thereby holds the cross head 18 against movement independently of the cross head 18 which would draw in a supply of the material. In the event that this action did not occur the bar 34 would be maintained in position by being supported upon the shoulder 35 on the upper end 33 of the bell crank 31, in which event the pin 40 would contact with the inclined surface 41 which would raise the end of the bar 44 from out of engagement with the pin 38 and allow independent movement of the cross head 18' to raw in a supply of material and subsequently discharge the same by movement of the cross head 18.

From the above detail description it is thought that the operation and advantages of the present invention will be clearly understood. The operation and arrangement of the pistons and cylinders for measuring and depositing the desired quantity of material is quite fully set forth in my co-pending application above referred to and, as has been previously stated, the present invention relates more particularly to the mechanism for preventing a discharge of material when a receptacle or container is4 not in poper place to receive the same. As hasl en set forth quite clearly in my co-pending a plication, u on the initial movement of t e machine t e inner ends of the pistons 16 are in close proximity and the. pistons will be moved in `unison towards the right of the machine. Upon reaching the extreme right hand position the bars 44 are disengaged from the pins 38 by means of the pin 40 riding over the beveled surface 41 of the member 34, it being understood that the member 34 is held in its raised position by means of the bell crank lever 31. This is assuming that a receptacle is in proper position to receive the material and that the eX- tension 28 of the member 24 is resting upon the top of the receptacle. When the bars 34 are released from the pins 38 the cross head 18 will be given a quick movement to the left due to the fact that the springs -22 are allowed to expand and due to this movement of the cross head 18 the left hand pistons will be drawn to the left to suck the material from the ho per 14 to a position between the inner en s of the opposed pistons.

The movement of the crosshead 18 is limited by the en agement with the lug or projection 24. he right hand pistons 16 are moved to the left due to the movement of the cross head 18 and this movement discharges the material from position between the opposed pistons and into the receptacle positioned to receive the same. The movement of the cross head 18 carries with it the cross head 20', which movement compresses the coiled springs 22. When the cross head 1.8

has moved the desired distance the bars 44.

will be again engaged with the pins 38 so that the movement just described may be repeated. Should a receptacle not be in posi; tion to receive the discharged material the indicator bar 24 is adapted to swing upon its pivot 27 and this movement of the bar will cause the pin 29 to engage the end 30 of the bell crank lever 31 to release the member 34. When thus positioned it will be appreciated that the bars 44 will not be disengaged from the pin 38 and therefore the inner ends of the pistons are held in close proximity and there will be no movement of the left hand pistons away from the right hand pistons such as would draw in a measured quantity of the material. When the pin 40 engages the beveled surface 41 it will merely depress the member 34 without releasing the end of the bar 44 from the pins 38. When the next receptacle is brought in engagement the parts will return to their normal positions, as has been previously described, and

`when a receptacle is properl positioned the the receptacle not be in position the frictional engagement between the rod and box will cause the bar 24 to be swung downwardly. The trip lever 37 will be disengaged from the member 33 as the pin 38 engages the inclined surface 39.

Having fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Lety ters Patent is 1. A machine of the character described including a container for material, a conveyor for positioning receptacles relative to the container, a pair of slidable pistons, said pistons being operable one relative to the other for drawing material from the container and discharging the same into a receptacle, and means operable when a receptacle is not in position on the conveyor to receive the material for preventing relative movement of the pistons, one to the other.l

2. A machine of the character described including a container for material, a conveyor for positioning receptacles relative to the container, a pair of slidable pistons, means for connecting the pistons for movement together for a predetermined distance andthen to be released to allow one pist-on to move relative to the other, and means operable when a receptacle is not in position on the conveyor to receive the material for preventing the release of the connecting means.

3. A machine of the character described including a container for material, a conveyor for positioning receptacles relative to the container, a pair of slidable pistons, means for normally connecting the'pistons for operation in unison, means for normally releasing the connecting means whereby one piston may operate relative to the other for drawing material from the container and discharging the same into a receptacle, and means whereby the releasing means is made inoperative when a receptacle is not in position on the conveyor to receive the material.

4. A machine of the character described including a container for material, a conveyor for positioning receptacles relative to the container, a pair of slidable pistons, means normally connecting the pistons for operation in unison, a member within the path of movement of the connecting means for normally releasin the same whereby the pistons may be opera le one relative to the other for drawing material from the container and discharging the same into a receptacle, and means operable when a. receptacle is not in position on the conveyor to receive the material to make the releasing member inoperative.

5. A machine of the character described including a container for material, a conveyor for positioning receptacles relative to the container, a pair of slidable pistons, means normally connecting the pistons for operation' in unison, a member normally y rigidly held to release the connecting means whereby the pistons may operate one relative to the other for drawing material from the container and discharging the same into a receptacle, and means operable when a receptacle is not in a position on the conveyor to receive the material to release the normally rigidly held member for releasing the conveyor for positioning receptacles relative to the container, a pair of slidable pistons, means for connecting the pistons whereby they will normally operate in unison, means for releasing the connecting means whereby the pistons will operate one relative to the' mally engage the upper ends of the receptacles but to be released and lowered when. a receptacle is not in osition.

BE NARD O. OPITZ.

necting means whereby the same will yield to prevent release of the connecting means.

6. A machine of the character described including a container for material, a conveyor for positioning receptacles relative to the container, a pair of slidable pistons, a bar normally connecting the pistons whereby they will operate in unison, a pivoted member positioned in the line of movement of the connecting bar, means for normally supporting the pivoted member in raised position whereby it will release the connecting bar to allow the pistons to operate one relative to the other for drawing material from the container and discharging the same into a receptacle, and means operated when a receptacle is not in position upon the conveyor to receive the material to release the pivoted memberi holding means whereby the pistons may be operated without releasing the connccting bar.

7. A machine of the character described including a container for material, a conveyor for positioning receptacles relative to the container, a pair of slidable pistons, a bar normally connecting the pistons whereby they will operate in unison, a projection extending outwardly from the bar, a pivoted member normally held in raised position to be engaged by the projection of the bar for releasing the bar and disconnecting the pistons whereby the same may operate one relative to theother for drawing material from the container and discharging the same into a receptacle, and means operable when a receptacle is not in position on the conveyor to receive the material to release the pivoted member whereby when engaged by the projection on the bar it will be lowered without releasing and disconnecting the pistons.

8. A machine of the character described including a container for material, a con- 

